Linebacker Larry Grant gets four-game suspension

SANTA CLARA -- Larry Grant, a 49ers backup linebacker the past two seasons, has been suspended the first four games of next season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substance, the NFL announced Friday.

Grant, a five-year veteran, is an unrestricted free agent, and he remains eligible to participate in all offseason and exhibition-season actions upon joining a team. As Patrick Willis' backup the past two seasons, Grant might best be known for forcing a fumble that secured a December 2011 win at Seattle.

Grant also was a key member of the special teams, totaling 16 tackles since 2011. Last month, the 49ers signed Grant's potential replacement in former Bengals linebacker Dan Skuta.

The 49ers have stated they're internally handling cornerback Chris Culliver's latest offensive comments. The third-year cornerback briefly posted a text-message screenshot on Instagram in which women were referred to as "bitch" and "hoes."